Germany to Empower Federal Police with Drone Defense Powers Amid Rising Illegal Drone Activity

The German government is undertaking significant legal reforms to strengthen its defense capabilities against the surge of illegal drone flights across the country. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has introduced a revised federal police law that would grant the Bundespolizei enhanced powers to detect, intercept, and neutralize drone threats, including authorization to physically shoot down drones. This proposed legislation, requiring approval from both the Bundestag and Bundesrat, aims to close existing legal gaps and equip the federal police with modern technological tools such as electromagnetic pulses, jamming devices, and GPS signal disruption.

The urgency of these changes stems from a sharp rise in illegal drone activity targeting not only military facilities but numerous other sensitive locations nationwide. Exclusive figures reveal these unauthorized flights are becoming more frequent, raising alarm over national security and public safety. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) highlighted recent drone incidents as serious threats, underlining the necessity for rapid detection and intervention capabilities.

Alongside the federal initiative, the Bavarian government has accelerated its own legislation, empowering local police forces to shoot down illegal drones following disruptions at Munich Airport. Both Merz and Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) suspect Russian involvement in the drone intrusions, as similar incidents have affected major airports in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, and Düsseldorf.

Looking ahead, the government plans to establish a joint drone defense center integrating federal and state authorities to streamline responses. Further amendments to the Air Security Act are also anticipated, potentially enabling the military to engage certain drone threats, while the Bundespolizei would primarily focus on domestic non-military risks. Despite these advances, concerns remain about the adequacy of current plans, with ongoing discussions exploring additional measures to bolster drone security throughout Germany.